Hong Kong Baptist University has frozen all activities of its student union after a notice board message expressing condolences for victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire began circulating online.
HKBU confirmed to AFP that the union’s acting executive committee was told to suspend operations “with immediate effect until further notice”. The university did not mention the fire or the message, which read “We are Hongkongers” and called on authorities to respond to public demands for justice, in its statement.
The deadly blaze, one of the worst in modern history, killed at least 159 people and has triggered widespread frustration, with residents demanding answers from the government.
In a statement shared by Hong Kong Free Press, HKBU cited the union’s “low membership”, weak commitment to student welfare and financial regulation breaches as grounds for suspension. The student union rejected the claims as “unreasonable”, “unfounded and arbitrary”, warning of “potential ulterior motives behind this forced suspension”.
The union said membership had actually increased “sixfold” since last year, accusing the university of hampering its activities.
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